Brian Hoyer crumbled under the pressure Monday night. And that was nothing compared to the pressure he faces now that the Cleveland Browns have named him their starting quarterback.

A franchise that hasn't won more than five games since 2007 and hasn't been to the playoffs since 2002 has made major strides on the personnel front. The Browns may be a quarterback away from changing that, and it won't be rock-star rookie Johnny Manziel, at least not in Week 1.

"Hoyer can do the job," a personnel director from an NFC team told USA TODAY Sports, speaking on condition of anonymity for competitive reasons. "You just need a serviceable guy in there. And I think he can be that guy that gives you 14, 17 points a game."

Cleveland's talented defense has the potential to be one of the NFL's better units under new coach Mike Pettine. (Just look at Monday's goal-line stand against the Washington Redskins.)

And the offense has a lot of pieces in place even with top receiver Josh Gordon's looming suspension. Tight end Jordan Cameron is a budding star, the offensive line is solid and the backfield is improved with Ben Tate and rookie Terrance West, who's had a big preseason.

But if the quarterback play isn't better than it was Monday night, the Browns will be staring down the barrel of 4-12 again. And it says a lot about the way things played out that Hoyer, who only has four NFL starts to his credit, could secure the job in the wake of a performance he admitted "couldn't have been any worse."

The Browns' media release early Wednesday morning made sure to say the decision doesn't reflect poorly on Manziel, but how could it not? He looked lost Monday night, struggled to use his famous improv skills and gave critics more fodder with a viral middle finger.

"He's never done a lot of things that QBs have to do at this level — huddle, play call, protection, read coverage, play in pocket," an NFC personnel man said of Manziel on Monday, before the decision was finalized. "(It's) a lot to ask a rookie especially with all the scrutiny he faces."

There is scrutiny, yes, but there is also intrigue for a fan base that last enjoyed a Cleveland championship in 1964. Surely, there will be more Manziel jerseys than Hoyer jerseys in the crowd for the rookie's home debut Saturday against the St. Louis Rams.

And what happens if Hoyer is horrible again Saturday against a tough Rams defense and Manziel lights it up against the backups? That may not sway coaches — it shouldn't, because it's not a fair comparison — but you can bet the boos and chants for Johnny Football are one Hoyer interception away.

The pressure is only beginning for Hoyer, who is still getting himself back to normal physically after blowing out his right knee last October. And unlike a year ago, when the Browns played Hoyer out of desperation with Brandon Weeden hurt, there should be expectations for this team.

With a bye week following a challenging three-game stretch to start the season — at Pittsburgh against Dick LeBeau's fire-zone scheme, then home against Rob Ryan's aggressive New Orleans Saints defense followed by the always tough Baltimore Ravens — Hoyer is no sure bet to keep the job into October.

If Manziel can't get himself together, Hoyer may keep the starting post the same way he got it: by default. Trouble is, default doesn't win a whole lot of games.

Johnny Manziel received his first regular-season action in Week 2, taking three snaps against the Saints. The rookie handed off twice and threw one incomplete pass in the Browns' come-from-behind win. (Photo: Andrew Weber, USA TODAY Sports)

Browns players and coaches have praised Manziel's early approach, showing appreciation for his work ethic and willingness to keep a low profile in the locker room, something rookies are generally expected to do no matter how famous. (Photo: Andrew Weber, USA TODAY Sports)

Tutoring Manziel will be Cleveland offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who helped Robert Griffin III to offensive rookie of the year honors with the Redskins in 2012. (Photo: Andrew Weber, USA TODAY Sports)